Managing diabetes during the festive season

FROM sugar-laden sweets to snacks, and feasts heavy on oil and salt, festive eating tends to tip towards unhealthy indulgence. For people with diabetes, the time around Diwali can be hard – but important – to manage.

“Indian festivals reflect our rich and diverse culture along with the celebration, colours, food, and happiness, and the positive impact of which cannot possibly be quantified. Whether an individual has a chronic health condition or not, it is important not to snatch away the joy of enjoying a festival and everything that it brings along,” Dr Bhavik Saglani, Diabetes Health Physician and Consultant at Mumbai’s Apollo Spectra Hospital, said.

Dr Saglani added, “Festivals may involve fasting or feasting or in some instances a bit of both. Exercise usually takes a backseat and activity levels tend to drop. It is a combination of the above that needs to be taken into consideration in individuals with diabetes.

“Ensuring good pre-festival sugar control, discussing with your physician whether or not fasting is advisable in your case, ensuring that sugary sweets and other carbohydrate-rich snacks are avoided or their portion size is limited, trying to compensate for all of it by ensuring your exercise routine does not take a back seat, keeping yourself well hydrated and ensuring regular home testing are some of the key steps to strike the right balance between enjoying a festival and managing diabetes,” Saglani said.

“Extra care needs to be taken for those who are on insulin and those who have high sugar levels even prior to the festive period.

“There is a risk of hypoglycaemia (low sugar levels) or hyperglycemia (high sugar levels) due to one or more of the above mentioned factors and it is imperative to get a review with your treating physician prior to the festive period.”

According to Dr Sanjay Ingle, Zonal Pathologist, and Technical Head West India, Apollo Diagnostics, Pune, one must monitor their blood sugar levels in order to check the insulin dose before every meal. Not doing so can invite a lot of problems.

“Similarly, those with type 2 diabetes are suggested to go for intensive insulin therapy under the doctor’s supervision. Moreover, even selfmonitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) is essential in these people too.

“There are some people who are on less intensive insulin therapy and they tend to monitor it little or not at all, this is an ineffective practice, as well controlled patients need monitoring of glucose levels to avoid hypoglycemia, and poorly controlled patients need to control it properly.”

For those who are not fasting but prefer to feast on the variety of foods that are served during festivals, there are certain important measures to be taken to ensure the blood sugar control does not go haywire, said Dr Nishant Singh, Consultant, General Medicine and Diabetology, Meddo Clinic. l

Break your meals into smaller portions of about 4 to 5 times every day, instead of 3 large meals. This can keep your blood sugar levels more stable.

You can opt for healthy snacking options such as nuts, olives or a piece of fruit. You could replace traditional sweets with such healthy options to ensure health is not compromised in celebrations. Ensure keeping your body hydrated and nourished. However, you can have a small piece of sweets.

Consider consuming good-quality dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate as they consist of less sugar. Avoid sugary drinks and replace them with water, sugar-free lime juice or even a small glass of coconut water. l White rice has a high glycaemic index and glycaemic load ,and can increase your blood sugars drastically. Instead, consume brown rice or whole grains.

Baked foods such as biscuits and cakes must be avoided completely. Avoid deep-fried foods such as samoosas and pakodas.

Try avoid excessive indulgence in alcohol during festival seasons. Alcohol also contains a large quantity of sugar in it and can increase blood sugar levels. | IANS